Home Schooling Advantages and Disadvantages

Homeschooling in America is a growing trend. At last count there were over one and a half million children being homeschooled with the predicted annual growth for this year to be 3%.

If you are considering arranging for your kids to be home schooled take a look at the advantages and disadvantages listed below :

Advantages

Freedom of study

Most states are relaxed about students study routine. The basics obviously must be covered but if they are covered is up to the teacher. This means that parents who know their child can decide on  the best way to cover a subject. There are a few states that still have restrictive legislation, in particular North Dakota.

Freedom of time and action

Once parents settle into the routine of home schooling they and their children enjoy a new sense of freedom as they are not restricted by school hours , school calendars and homework. They are able to plan family vacations out of season.

Freedom to develop emotionally

Home schooled children are often more self confident and self reliant than other children their age. They do not have to deal with bullying or peer pressure.

Freedom of Religion

Often families make the choice to home school children as they feel that their religion or spiritual beliefs are an important part of their family. If the children are home schooled then their beliefs can be a part of their education and daily lives.

Improved Family Interactions

Families that home school their children seem to have loving ties and close relationships. Teens in particular benefit and if they have been behavioral problems it usually shows improvement.

Stable Family Lives

There is much less disruption to children whose families move around a lot. In addition when there is a change in family circumstances the stability of home schooling settles everyone.

Routines that allow for rest and no homework

Children that live away from school often have to be up early to commute and then still come home to lots of homework often only falling into bed at midnight. As home schooled children can cover larger amounts of work in shorter times than regular classes there is no need for homework .

Disadvantages

Learning out of a school environment does consume a lot of parent’s time. Most people think that they can teach their children whilst cooking meals around the family kitchen table. The reality is that, that rarely works. A lot of time is taken by parents in planning lessons and outings. It can be draining .

Financial difficulties

Often one parent stays at home and is unemployed employed in order to give their children the home school advantage.This can be a big sacrifice and it can be come difficult to balance the budget.

24 /7 Interaction

There is no doubt that if you choose to home school you will be with your children most of your time .

Limited team sports and challenges 

In some areas home schooled children are welcomed to join in at local schools with team sports .However this is not always the case and children can miss out on this important part of social interaction.

Most of the pros and cons of home schooling are listed above . It is not for all families but can be a very rewarding experience. Drop us your comments on other advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling kids which are not mentioned here.

Fun ways to teach math word problems

Math word problems are loved by a few and hated by many. A fun way of teaching math word problems is to keep it informal. Remember word problems could be applied to several real life scenarios which all seem normal until you start making them look complex with math formulas. By relating word problems more to real life experiences (where they are drawn from) than from abstract formulas (that they later become) increases the level of interest.

Fun ways to teach math word problems:

  • Primarily, an analysis needs to be done before solving a math word problem based on the age of the student.
  • Break down word problems into visual representations which kids can easily relate to. Breakdown different segments of word problems into constitutive building blocs which could be understood individually.
  • How you interpret and inculcate the skills is more important than reading out the question and making them solve it. The question might be simple to understand, but to leave a lasting impression on the student, we have to generate interest that lasts longer in their minds. Try to include the answer to the question and get the answer from the students.
  • Encourage team work and a problem solving approach. This encourages bonding between students and they tend to think collectively by sharing their views.
  • Avoid math word problems that seem monotonous. Include variety in the stories behind each problem; also give students problems that push them further into other innovative ways around solving them.
  • Break down math word problem based on the math operations involved. Make students to provide answers for each segment of the math operation. This makes students to have a sense of how mixed operations function in real life. This approach also triggers critical thinking in students. But in the same token let the students do the work.
  • In order to make your students answer math word problems keep the calculations simple for a start. Do not start with complex math operations and big numbers. Students are still learners and we need to allocate the time and problems according to their level.
  • Do not keep math word problems only in the math class; include math word problems in other subjects as well when the opportunity presents. For example in a social studies class, in a science class or in a language class. This might seem intrusive for students at the start but over time they will soon start enjoying this method of learning. It will also enable teachers to shoot two birds with one stone.
  • Make each problem easy to read and understand. Problems that are not clear right from the start set the stage for failure.
  • Make your questions more interesting and funny to the students. Remember making kids laugh occasionally reduces the stress levels in class. And making kids laugh is quite easy, you mustn’t be a comedian to do so.
  • Students should be taught to identify patterns in word problems. The same question interpreted in a slightly different manner leads to a different result altogether.

Finally, the last trick it to encourage students even when they fail and orientate them in other ways to find the right answers. Let us know your thoughts and share with us other fun ways of teaching math word problems to children.

Food kids should eat before an examination

In today’s world we are very aware how food and drink can affect our health. In particular if your child is expecting to write a long exam then it is a bit like a mental marathon and endurance is important. Nutritionists point out that healthy eating habits especially at this stressful time will help us cope and perform well.

Nutritionists also tell us that the brain uses 20 % of all the glucose, 35% of all the vitamins and minerals we absorb, 40% of all water and 50 % of fat’s in our bodies. Its no wonder that we need to make sure that students eat health foods during exam time.

The ideal food for our brains are ones that have high amounts of fats, nutrients, water mixed with a little carbs. Unfortunately no one food can give us all those things.

Have a look at the foods below which are necessary to eat when preparing for an exam.

Nuts

Nuts are packed with nutrients, fats and tiny bits of carbs. They are considered natures little energy packages. An exception is peanut which actually is not a nut. Other nuts are healthier than peanut.They are perfect for snacks in between exams. N.B ! Below a certain age though, kids are not allowed to eat or take nuts to school for fear of allergic reactions.

Apples

Apples have been shown to reduce anxiety. They contain high levels of Acetycholine which increases sensory perception. Studies show that students who eat an apple at lunch obtained at least a 7 point increase in test scores in afternoon exams. Also remember the saying that ‘an apple a day, the doctors away‘.

Yogurt

Yogurt contains millions of good probiotics that replace bad bacteria in the gut.When the good bacteria in your gut are working well you feel good and have energy.Whilst yogurt alone won’t give your brain the boost it needs, it is the perfect medium for mixing with other super foods.

Blueberries

Blueberries are perfect for brain energy. There are a large amount of antioxidants in blueberries. These help to improve memory, decision making and numerical ability.

Chocolate

Yes it can be good to eat Chocolate! In particular Dark Chocolate . The flavonol in dark chocolate increase blood flow to the brain and can help improve memory. It also contains caffeine which is a stimulant. It is better to eat a small amount of dark chocolate than drink a bucket of coffee.

Protein

Light meals can be supplemented with Salmon or lean chicken. Salmon in particular contains omega 3 which is of great benefit in a healthy diet.

Tips for meals on exam day.

  • Even if your child normally skips breakfast try to make sure that they do eat something on exam day. A brain needs energy from food so that it can function correctly. Healthy food choices on exam day include eggs ,nuts ,yogurt ,fruit and cottage cheese.
  • Make sure that your child drinks enough water before and during the exam. Dehydration can make a student lose concentration.
  • Your child should eat light meals. Food should be enough to satisfy but not make them feel overfull which can then lead to drowsiness. A good idea is a light lunch such as salad with chicken or salmon .
  • Provide your child with energy snacks. Fresh fruit like an apple and some nuts would be ideal .Other options include trail mix or sugar free granola bars.

Finally make sure that your child gets enough sleep. To be able to be at their best on exam day they will need the energy that is gained from a healthy diet but also adequate sleep. What are your thoughts on healthy foods for kids’ school lunches. Also research into foods kids should not east before an examination. It is said that some foods cause kids to feel drowsy and sleepy. Any ideas? Drop us a comment.

N.B. Also consult with a dietitian on your child’s unique situation as what are listed here are generalizations.

Five Warm Up Activities before a class (K12)

When students first enter your classroom it is important to initiate a few warm up activities.

Importance of Warm up

Set the tone for the lesson . :- An activity that is too difficult will often make students zone out. A fun activity often raises energy levels and encourages students to participate.

Warm ups should be related to the lesson ahead .It makes students think and may also help them to use their minds to relate pre exsisting knowledge to the upcoming subject

Warm Ups allow teachers to assess character and abilities of a class. Students have good and bad days too like all of us. Warming up will help a teacher determine which student groups to form for collective activities.

Warm up activities for Elementary school classes in particular are an excellent way to settle students down after break or first thing in the morning.It gets the students ready to focus on the lesson .

Here are some ideas for Warm Up Exercises:

Object challenge : All grades

Present the students with an object that they cannot easily identify. ( Old plumbing fixtures ,unusual foodstuffs etc ). Ask the students to describe in detail what they are seeing. They must also hypothesize the possible use for the object. Let the students entertain their classmates and you with their answers . When they have finished tell them the true purpose of the object .

Photo Challenge – From Grades 4 upwards

Show students an interesting picture. It can be related to the topic  that you may be about to discuss. Any special photo of a world famous event or other topics that might be of interest. Get the students to comment and complete their descriptions. Students could then share their thoughts and feelings with others. Photos should be age relevant.

Three words – Grades 7 and above

Students should be asked to pick three words that they associate with a topic . It can be a topic that they are about to have a lesson in. Students should be able to explain why they chose these words.This warm up will help teachers to establish the mind set of their students as well as their possible depth of knowledge on that subject

Simon Says – Elementary School Grades 1- 6

This is perfect for elementary school. It has the added benefits of increasing basic coordination skills. Ask students to copy your actions but only if “Simon Says” Students who perform the action when Simon didn’t say should be made to sit down for two turns .

If you had a magic wand – Grades 7 upwards

This activity is great for middle school and high school . Pass a wand around and then where it stops that person should be asked a question if your magic wand can change anything what would you change ? It can also be topic specific to the subject that will be taught. It can break the ice and allow students to open their minds.

Use these warm up strategies in the classroom. If you start a lesson with a good “hook activity” students will be alert and positive to start their lesson. Give us your thoughts on other warm up activities we failed to mention in this article.

Dealing with difficult students in the classroom

For a teacher dealing with difficult students in a class can be a very frustrating and trying experience .

Teaching should be fun but on days when your difficult students are in attendance it can make the day seem very long.

It is easy to make mistakes when you are under pressure.The list below contains valuable tips that will help a teacher deal with the disruption that these kids can cause and help you to work with the students to change them into valued class members.

Arguing does not work

When a teacher argues openly with a student it means you are putting them on an equal footing.If you allow this then it gives other students ideas and opportunity to argue with any decision .

Never yell or scold, be a role model

If you yell at a difficult student then you are indicating that you have lost control . If you think you are reaching boiling point then rather remove the student from the area. For example to a desk in the hallway .If you as their teacher keeps calm in a situation you are teaching difficult students the correct way to behave.

Don’t ever hold a grudge .

Each day must be taken as a new day .The difficult student with whom you had an issue with yesterday must know that they start with a clean slate this day. Always smile and say hello and let them know you are happy to see them. You are the teacher and adult; you are expected to rise above any pettiness.

Do not ignore any misbehavior .

Whilst it might be tempting to avoid confrontation, remember that if you ignore difficult behavior the other students will notice. Follow your classroom management rules plan .If a difficult student breaks the rule no matter if it seems small, you must enforce the plan immediately.The students will learn that they will always have to deal with the consequences of any misbehavior .

Reward Acceptable Behavior

When a student that has not been behaving well sees other students who have been rewarded for that, they may think before acting out again. Particularly for younger students an example like a daily star chart can help students track how they are behaving during that day and if need be adjust so that they too can gain from a reward.

 False Praise .

Be careful that you do not give the student who has been difficult false praise for something which is normally expected. Rather give meaningful praise when it is genuinely due .

Communicate with Parents

Find ways to communicate regularly with parents . It may be that you will discover that a difficult child acts that way because they are never set any boundaries at home . If you can meet and discuss difficult students with their parents it may give you an insight into how to deal with situations as they arise.

In the end it important to remember that a teacher needs to build a relationship with their students even more so with the difficult ones. Persevere and be consistent and hopefully soon you will have a peaceful attentive class.

Let us know if you have any more tips on dealing with difficult students in your classroom.

Best teaching methods for kindergarten

Kindergarten is the second place after home where children spend a maximum amount of time. It is also the place where children are not accompanied by their parents or guardians. Hence, kindergarten should be like a second home for kindergartners to learn and grow in life. There are many excellent teaching methods for kindergarten children which can make them feel at home.

Below are the best teaching methods for kindergarten children:

  • Sometimes kids feel more comfortable if  instructors are cooperative and friendly. Hence, a kindergarten instructor should understand that children need a lot of pampering. This should not result to over pampering though; moderation while pampering is required to maintain a balance in the class dynamics.
  • They should inculcate fun activities with learning like reciting rhymes with dancing. This will make children to remain active and also enjoy learning.
  • They should have some time for theater. During theater time they should listen to and partake in the pictorial representation of moral stories. This method of learning stories will have a lasting impact on children and also inculcate moral values.
  • They should be taken out to the playground for outdoor activities. Playing in the sand and other outdoor activities will make them feel lighter and happier. With this approach children won’t get bored and will enjoy school.
  • Since a majority of parents reside in cities, city life has restricted or limited interaction with domestic animals. Kindergarten instructors can arrange visits to a farm and create awareness about their importance in our lives.
  • A wildlife tour can also be arranged. Like a tour to a nearby zoo.
  • Educators can engage kids in protecting and conserving animals and the environment around us. Environmental protection awareness can be triggered through a ‘one child one tree’ planting exercise. At the end of the year, children can come back to see how far their plants have grown.
  • Make them aware that each and every one in the class is important and ensure that group work is practiced.
  • Kindergartners can engage in sporting activities to make them strong and active. They can inculcate yoga and other light physical exercises that suit the child’s age.
  • Make learning fun and simple through illustrations; children get involved easily when their real-world surroundings are represented as illustrations. Hence, emphasize more on real-life examples for children to learn easily. Get them crayons to draw and color different objects in around them.
  • Keep the classroom decorated with pictures that are engaging for students. This in turn will make students love their classroom.
  • As you interact with  children, give them descriptive words and make them differentiate the words. This in turn will enhance their vocabulary. There are many instances where children start speaking fluently with better vocabulary after joining kindergarten.
  • And most importantly, be attentive to children’s needs. They might not be able to express it properly; hence  instructors should have a good entente with their children.

The list is not exhausted and we imagine that there are other good methods for teaching kindergarten kids not mentioned here. Feel free to contact us with other great ideas.

Best Educational Toys for Six Year Old’s

If the Christmas season is closing in or if your favorite five year old is about to turn six then you will be looking for a great gift. A great gift should be one that is a lot of fun for the 6 year old and ideally has some educational value to it.

There are so many toys on the market today. Sometimes it can be confusing when you are faced with rows and rows of toys for children in your local toy store.Very popular at the moment are the so called STEM toys. ( Science, Technology, Engineering and Math ). These toys help kids to develop skills in these core disciplines.

To help you make that purchase have a look at the list of some of the best ones below .

Coding  Toys

Coding is the new thing in child education. Lets face it, there is very little we use in our daily activities that have not been put together with coding. Schools are beginning to get in on the act and introducing coding as a subject even at elementary school. There are many simple toys on the market that help young minds think in a way that will assist with coding as they grow older.

  • Fisher Price Code a Pillar

This toy encourages young programmers to learn to connect nine easy segments in differing combinations. Each combination will determine which way the caterpillar heads off in. The colors used are bright and the there are flashing lights and sounds that make it all fun .

  • Code and Go Robot Mouse Learning Resources

This is a cute looking mouse that can be used to teach kids basic coding methods.

Kids code the mouse to be able to get to the cheese using different direction commands that are programmed into the mouse. Easy for adults but will keep your Six year olds interested for a long time .

Janod Magnetic Map

 This colorful wooden map has 90 magnetic and educational pieces that can be slotted together like a huge jigsaw. Each piece shows an animal or brightly colored cities and famous landmarks that help children learn about the world. Fun and educational puzzle.

Marbleworks Marble Run Deluxe Set

This is an educational game that will provide hours of amazement and fun. This game lets your six year old connect colorful tubes, chutes and bases to construct a marble run. It is super sized and brightly colored .This game  allows for creativity and promotes spatial thinking in schools. Predict which marble will finish first and further develop hand eye coordination. Its a FUN game !

My first Telescope – Learning Resources

This is a great choice for a child who is interested in the stars and heavens.It is sturdy and durable and is built for small hands. A great educational toy that is sure to help foster an interest in astronomy as kids grow up .

Math Whiz Electronic Hand held Held Game

A fast paced hand held maths gadget game with 8 skill levels, suitable for many ages. Give instant feedback with fun sounds.

Educational games these days are fun and entertaining!

Advantages of Private Schools over Public Schools

According to the National Center for Education Studies approx 10 % of students attend private Schools in the United States. These figures have been decreasing and are not expected to reverse .The reason for the decline is mostly the growth of Public Chartered Schools which allow a greater amount of autonomy than public schools. However in many areas Private Schools are still considered a “better” option than Public Schools .

So what are the benefits of choosing a Private School over a Public School ? have a look at the list below:

Smaller classes
Private school are on average about half as large as public schools. Many parents prefer to send their children to private schools as they will in a smaller class and receive individual attention .A private school often nurtures a sense of community and pride in the school .The teacher student ratio in private schools is much smaller . Averagely a private school will have a student teacher ratio of 9:1 as opposed to a public school with 17:1.

Less Rules and Regulations
Private schools do not have to work with all the state regulations on schooling .There is less time needed to be spent on filling out mandated forms and instructions .Teachers tend to have more flexibility in the classroom and additional creative control . This normally impacts positively on the students.

Extensive Curriculum
As previously mentioned private school do not have to conform with all government regulations . This leads to a private school being able to modify the curriculum and introduce a wide range of subjects .There is often ample resources to provide extracurricular activities as well . Many private schools have advanced sports programs which result in a well rounded school education .

Parents are very involved
Private school parents seem to be very committed to their child’s education. In part this will be because they are, after all ,having to reach into their pockets to pay for this education but also they do seem to be affected by the community  of their school .

Religion and single sex education
Many private schools are run by the church and support a particular religion . A parent often chooses for their child to attend this school as their family values and needs can be met exclusively .
Of course some private schools only offer same sex education .Parents who advocate this will send their children to these schools.

Safe Environment
Many private schools have reputations for maintaining very high standards of discipline and respect.The strong sense of community found in private schools tends to discourage dangerous behavior. Private schools are allowed to expel dangerous and disruptive students.

Choosing to send your child to a private school has many advantages with your child receiving an excellent rounded education. Hence, although they are expensive, they are worth considering.

5 Ways to Spot Low Performing Kids before it gets out of Hand

Some students are eager to come to school whilst others on the other hand tend to be reluctant about it. The later tend to actively avoid any form of activity, be it at home or in school. This trend can be spotted as early as elementary school. It is manifested in different ways, for example a student may be an excellent reader but often fails to do homework or does it with a lot of reluctance and mistakes.

In middle school, low performance can be manifested both in academic and non-academic areas. If this goes unnoticed, it transitions into withdrawal and defiance which translates to labels as underachievers encouraged to take on vocational education later in life.

“Underachievers are, in fact, highly motivated – in directions other than getting good grades. And finding out precisely where their motivation lies, is the key to helping them turn around and become achievers at school “(Mandel &Marcus 1995 )

Identifying under achievers
1.         Avoidance behavior: Avoiding participation in class activities and failing to do homework is a way of shielding them from the frustration of being perceived as incapable. They are often distracted, forget to do homework, misplace their assignments and test papers. In class some spend a fair amount of time staring out the window.
2.         Low self-esteem:-Students who are in fact gifted can underachieve simply to ensure there is no pressure on them .There is a definite lack of personal control over their school success. They will often believe that any additional hard work they put into a subject will still result in failure. Such students will normally set their goals either too high or too low.
3.         Not being confident in their own abilities: If they fail, such students will blame their lack of ability and if they succeed they attribute it to luck .They tend to only accept responsibility for their failures and don’t even consider they may be successful. For the younger ages, school is boring while for high schoolers it is irrelevant in their daily lives. They will blame poor grades on having the “worst” teachers. They don’t know how to build self-confidence. These students have not been given the tools to persevere at something and succeed.
4.         Rebellion: – Students who rebel against authority use it as a way to blame the school for underachieving.
5.         Avoidance of any competition- Students will avoid competition both in and out of school. This is unless they are sure that they can win .These students often have competitive feelings but they don’t believe they can win .They will often quit before competition starts .This way they will not have to cope with defeat.
Generally, a typical underachiever is the student who is smart but turns in work of a low standard to get C and D grades. This happens often when they fail to turn in assignments or don’t bother to study for tests. A good teacher will be able to help children to learn in a way that works with their personalities and learning styles. As a teacher you can make adjustments in your methods of teaching and classroom management. This will help underachievers have a chance to succeed. Parents should also consider private schools with small classroom sizes where students can be followed up individually.